[Dixielandjazz] Banjoist Frannie Smith & Melody Trombone

[Steve barbone]

"John Mumford" <john at jazzbanjo.com> asked

> Steve,
> 
> Can you tell us about Frannie Smith? Where Frannie is from and who Frannie
> plays with?

Sure. For some 16 years Frannie Smith, a professional musician, played
Dixieland banjo six nights a week at The Showboat Casino in Atlantic City
NJ. Part of that time, he was also the booking agent for all of the
Dixieland that was played there. (4 to 6 bands, continuous). He is an
extraordinary banjo player who resides in South New Jersey. (Debbie Schreyer
played there also for about 6 years)

He currently plays sometimes with Barbone Street's "A" Band (doing some of
our public school gigs), leads other versions of Barbone Street Bands when
we have multiple gigs at the same time (E.G. Mardi Gras), leads his own
Dixieland group and free lances in South Jersey/Philadelphia area. He is
also a GREAT vocalist who has an EXTREMELY LARGE repertoire of Dixieland and
other banjo songs. Much beloved by audiences of all ages.

An extraordinary showman also, he has played with trumpeters Al Harrison and
George Rabbai, the Keystone Five and the Midiri Brothers in this area as
well as with many of the NYC cats currently on the scene.

-------

Regarding trombones as lead instruments. In Barbone Street, Trombonist Glenn
Dodson routinely plays lead on Basin Street Blues and Lonesome Road. And
also on other Call and Response numbers where his instrument states the
"Call" and trumpet/clarinet state the "Response".

In fact, I would guess that trombones all over the world routinely do the
"Call" on Basin Street, as well as melody on other tunes

And, of course, when we're in slow dance mode, he does the melody on "I'm
getting Sentimental Over You" and "Stardust" (including the verse) I hope
nobody destroys all their Tommy Dorsey records because Tommy plays melody.

So, who plays melody? Everybody, from banjo to bagpipes, including TUBA.
Listen to Beethoven 5 1/2 on the First Independence Hall JB CD to hear banjo
and tuba doing a duet, alternating back and forth on melody as well as
improvisation. That's Steve Debonaventura on banjo and Gil Corella on Tuba.
BOTH EXTRAORDINARY.

Cheers,
Steve Barbone